Facing a referendum over its F-35 deal, Switzerland’s defense department has warned that a delay would have ‘grave consequences’
Militarily neutral Switzerland is embroiled in domestic controversy over its planned $6.2 billion purchase of US F-35A fighter jets, prompting defense officials to claim that any delay to the deal would have “grave consequences” for the country’s security.
Wednesday’s statement by the defense department in Bern came one day after the Swiss government confirmed that organizers of a “Stop F-35” initiative had gathered the necessary 100,000 valid petition signatures to force a referendum on the issue. Activists have called for the vote to be held in March, the same month as the government’s deadline to close its 36-jet deal with US defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
The Swiss defense department told the nation’s Federal Council that the proposed timetable for the referendum isn’t feasible because the…
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